European citizens can take part in the public consultation launched by the European Commission, Friday, September 24, 2010, on the future MEDIA programme. This consultation is part of a wider consultation which aims to survey for the development of a new MEDIA program proposal. The consultation will run until November 30, 2010.

Purpose of the consultation
We are pleased to invite you to respond to this public consultation conducted by the European Commission (Directorate General for Education and Culture) on a future EU programme for support of the European audiovisual sector after 2013 (referred to as the "new MEDIA programme").
The current MEDIA 2007 Programme
The current MEDIA Programme 2007-13 is a European Union funding programme, which co-finances training initiatives for audiovisual industry professionals, the development of production projects (feature films, television drama, documentaries, animation and new media), as well as the promotion of European audiovisual works.
The MEDIA 2007 Programme comprises a series of support measures for the European audiovisual industry 31 participant countries. These measures focus on:
• training professionals;
• developing production projects;
• distributing films and audiovisual programmes;
• promoting films and audiovisual programmes;
• supporting film festivals.
The programme is running for 7 years (2007-2013) and has a total budget of approximately Euro 755 million for this period.
Background information on the consultation
The European Commission is now launching a public consultation on a future EU programme for the audiovisual sector, which would replace the current one from 2014. During the second semester of 2011, the Commission intends to adopt a draft Decision of the European Parliament and Council establishing a new MEDIA programme after 2013. This new programme will help achieve the objectives of the new "Europe 2020" Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
The purpose of this consultation is to gather views from all relevant stakeholders of the audiovisual sector in Europe. Views are sought regarding the objectives, activities, and types of support within the new programme.
One area of particular interest in this consultation concerns the objectives and activities of the programme. There is, in this respect, a need to see how the programme's objectives and action lines should be revised in the light of technological, financial, social and other recent developments in order to ensure that they remain as relevant, clear and focused as possible.
The European Commission is also interested in consulting on management aspects of the programme in this context. Although considerable simplifications have been introduced during the run of the current programme, the Commission and its Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, responsible for the operational management of much of the programme, would, however, welcome input on further possible simplifications.
Practical information
The consultation will remain open until 30 November 2010. Participation is entirely voluntary.
Received contributions, together with the identity of the contributor, will be published on the Internet, unless the contributor objects to publication of the personal data on the grounds that such publication would harm his or her legitimate interests. In this case the contribution may be published in anonymous form.
The questionnaire should not take long to complete – if you have problems, e-mail us at: eac-media@ec.europa.eu
This consultation does not represent an official position of the European Commission, but is intended to stimulate debate on the part of stakeholders and the public. It does not prejudge the form or content of any future proposal by the European Commission.
Thank you for taking part in the consultation.